"One Major Step Short of War:” Jimmy Carter, the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, and the Last Chapter of the Cold War

Author

George Uriah, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Date of Award

12-2006

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

History

Major Professor

George White, Jr.

Committee Members

Cynthia Griggs Fleming, G. Kurt Piehler

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the foreign policy of Jimmy Carter and his Administration in the wake of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The study is based on newly declassified documents from the Jimmy Carter Presidential in Atlanta, Georgia as well as published material by and about Jimmy Carter.

The thesis challenges the popular caricatures of Jimmy Carter, that he was ineffective in matters of foreign policy and that he was largely concerned with establishing a legacy as a peacemaker. The thesis contends that Jimmy Carter was a much more cunning Cold Warrior than his detractors give him credit for and that the shift in American foreign policy towards the Soviet Union largely credited to Ronald Reagan actually began with the Carter Administration.

Recommended Citation

Uriah, George, ""One Major Step Short of War:” Jimmy Carter, the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, and the Last Chapter of the Cold War. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2006.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/1825